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Crystal Clear	By : MystIc19 Category: Final Fantasy VII > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 1058 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 2
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Disclaimer: I don�t own FF7 or any of the FF7 characters, just this story and a few original characters.

�Hey!� A voice shouted through the cafeteria followed by a hand squeezing the blonde�s shoulder.

Cloud turned quickly getting ready for a possible confrontation when he let out a sigh of relief upon realizing it was Kyo.

�I was worried about you, I thought you like got kidnapped or something,� Kyo joked as he pulled up a chair, �where were you last night anyways?�

�I was at Zack�s,� Cloud replied casually as he took a drink of his orange juice.

�Zack? Zack who?� The other asked as he leaned across and grabbed a French toast stick from off Cloud�s plate. �The only Zack I know is first class SOLDIER Zack.�

�That would be the one,� the blonde replied with a slight frown as he watched Kyo eat his French toast.

�Holy,� Kyo began, eyes widening as he began to choke slightly on the food, �you know him well?�

Shrugging the blonde glanced around, �not really. I only really talked with him once before last night, but he�s nice.�

Kyo kept his gaze on the blonde as he leaned back in his seat.

�What?� Cloud asked once his gaze traveled back to the boy.

�Nothing,� Kyo began with a shake of his head.

�Alright�I got to go or I�m going to be late for class,� Cloud stated as he began to get out of his chair, �oh I need your room key.�

�Mine? Where�s yours?� Kyo asked as he started to get out of his seat as well.

�I lost it, that�s the whole reason why I stayed at Zack�s last night,� he explained quickly while holding out his hand, �come on I�ll be back before you so I can let you in.�

�Ah I think I have a spare in my locker anyways, keep it,� Kyo said passing the key to the shorter one.

Spare key? Well that would�ve been nice to know yesterday. Glaring at the other slightly Cloud slipped the key into his pocket and made his way out of the cafeteria.

He didn�t feel tired or groggy like he usually did when on his way to practice, he had actually managed to have a good sleep last night�it was strange. He didn�t wake up once during the night like he did back at the barracks, maybe because Zack�s couch was a lot more comfortable than those slabs of concrete they called beds back in the rooms.

He woke up to Zack gently shaking him while he looked down on him with a big grin. That was the thing Cloud noticed about him, he was always smiling or grinning or something, what the hell was he so happy about?

Sighing Cloud continued down the halls. It was actually good that Zack was so upbeat and cheerful he guessed, that�s how people should be anyways�even if he wasn�t one of those people. After all what did he have to be happy about?

He shook his head quickly, he didn�t want to think like that before practice, it would only make him depressed and he wouldn�t be focused like he should.

Entering the class the instructor had just begun to take role call and Cloud went over to his assigned spot. He heard a few snickers and turned to the direction of the sound. It was Jin and another boy, both looking at the blonde and talking amongst themselves while laughing from time to time.

Cloud narrowed his eyes at the boy for a moment, he wanted to just shut him up right there on the spot. And besides he still had to get him back for stealing his clothes the other day, did he just think he could humiliate him and get away with it? Maybe it sounded childish but Jin had started it and Cloud definitely wasn�t going to let him walk over him like that.

�CADET STRIFE!�

Blue eyes turning sharply to the loud voice Cloud took a step back when he realized his instructor was right in front of him.

�I called your name three times, if you were present why didn�t you say so!?� He spoke in a way that made the blonde feel like he was the tiniest thing on the planet. A few of the other cadets began to laugh.

�Sorry sir!� He said firmly while snapping to attention.

�Hmm,� Sergeant Okuda began while walking around him, circling him like hawk would do their prey. �Daydreaming already? It�s just the beginning of class, too early for that right!?�

�Yes sir, sorry sir!� Cloud replied, not daring to look his instructor in the eye. He didn�t want to urge him to continue, it seemed like he loved to reprimand him in front of the whole class, it happened all the time.

�Let�s try it again then,� Sergeant Okuda began while looking down at his clipboard, �Cadet Strife!�

�Present sir!� The blonde answered, inwardly rolling his eyes. Okay he had caught him off guard, he got it, but did he really have to drag it out?

�Much better,� the man began with a smirk, �try to stay focused Strife, there�s no room for daydreamers in my unit.�

�Yes sir,� Cloud replied lastly as the instructor continued down the line calling more names.

�Way to go Strife,� Jin teased quietly from behind him.

Cloud shot him a glare before the instructor made his way back to the front of the room.

�Alright listen up!� the man began, �I�m going to be putting you into pairs, this will be similar to the exercise we did about two days ago. The person I pair you up with will be your sparring partner for the rest of today�s class. I want you to practice on getting better with hand to hand combat, work on defense methods etcetera. Basic training is almost done with you cadets so you better be showing progress.�

Cloud let out a sigh of relief. Though basic training was good he wanted to hurry up and get it done with so that he could move on to the bigger and better things. Basic training only taught you�well the basics, and he didn�t come to Midgar to just be a simple cadet.

He looked down the line he was in as he watched Sergeant Okuda place people into pairs.

�Strife,� he began while glancing at his clipboard again, �and Barton.�

The blonde�s eyes went wide as he heard the name fall from his instructors mouth.

Barton? As in Jin Barton!? Damn! He cast a glance over his shoulder to see his sparring partner grinning widely.

�Split it up, have one work on defense and the other offense and switch, just make sure you aren�t slacking!� Sergeant Okuda began before blowing the whistle letting people know it was okay to start.

�Yeah Strife no daydreaming on me alright? I mean I would feel bad if I like knocked you unconscious because you weren�t paying attention,� Jin explained with a laugh as they made their way onto the blue mats.

�If I knocked you unconscious I got to say I honestly wouldn�t feel to bad,� Cloud began with a tilt of his head, �sorry.�

Jin laughed as he ran his hands through his hair before getting into a stance, �come on Strife, no hard feelings about yesterday right? It was just a joke! And you should be glad I didn�t snag your towel to while you were in the shower.�

The blonde narrowed his eyes before swiftly swinging at the other.

Jin jumped back and raised his eyebrows, �starting already?�

�In a real fight you don�t get a warning,� Cloud replied with a grin as he readied himself for a possible attack.

�True,� Jin began while moving slowly, trying to read his opponent.

Just stay on defense Cloud, this guy will try to attack without putting thought into it, you can get him then.

�And in a real fight,� Jin began while moving quickly and delivering a swift kick to the boys stomach, �there�s no such thing as holding back.�

Cloud dropped onto the mat on his knees clutching his stomach. Jin had moved to quickly for him to be able to dodge that one. He remained there for a minute as he tried to regain the breath that had just been knocked out of him.

�Should we call it a day?� Jin asked with a grin.

Before Jin could say anything else the blonde cadet pivoted, swinging his leg outward and knocking the other boy off his feet.

�Not just yet,� Cloud replied while springing upright again.

Jin got up quickly too as he narrowed his eyes at the other. He wasn�t even thinking on the terms of defense and different strategies as their instructor had told them, he was only thinking offense and�.well, kicking the blonde�s ass. He lunged forward throwing a fist that almost connected with the other�s jaw but Cloud quickly ducked and moved to the other side.

�You know what you have a smart mouth Strife,� Jin began while turning to face him.

�I�m glad you noticed,� Cloud replied trying to put enough distance between them in case he needed to dodge another attack again. It was true though, while the other guys all excelled in muscle and height Cloud excelled in smart remarks and sarcasm. It wasn�t a surprise that he managed to piss off a lot of them that way, it was one of the many traits he had picked up from when he was younger, if he couldn�t fight the bully physically then he could definitely do it verbally.

�Don�t get too cocky,� Jin said while narrowing his eyes at the blonde. In an instant he was right in front of him again and had connected a fist to the blonde�s jaw.

Cloud stumbled back a little before lifting a hand up to touch his mouth, when he pulled his hand away he saw blood there. That idiot had really hit him hard! So much for just practicing, if he wanted to draw blood then two could play that game.

�Oops,� Jin began with a laugh, �did I hurt you there Strife?�

Wiping the blood off with the back of his hand Cloud focused back on his opponent. He let his eyes drift for a moment as he looked at the others around them, they were the only ones who were taking their spar match to the extreme, but they both knew it was inevitable, after all they hated each others guts.

Cloud tightened his hands into fists as he glared at the other, to hell with the methods they had learned in class he was just going to fight him like he would a bully back at home.

Jin had rushed at the blonde again throwing a few punches this way and that, but Cloud dodged each of them with ease. When he was really focused he was pretty fast and alert. He kicked the taller one in the side causing him to stumble and fall off of the blue mats so that he was now on the regular surface. Cloud smiled, he wanted nothing more than to kick him while he was down�.but he didn�t want to stoop that low.

Jin quickly got up but he wasn�t standing fully because of the pain that was now in his side. �You piece of shit,� he taunted with a grin, �come on,� he continued while motioning with his hands, �is that the best you can do?� He asked before spitting at the other.

Blue eyes widened as he felt the warm saliva run down his cheek. Jin�s laughter shook him back into reality and he quickly wiped the liquid from off of his face. He could practically hear his heart beating and he swore he saw red along with Jin who was in front of him. Before he knew it he had leapt at the other throwing punches and kicks without allowing any time for the other to react.

Jin fell back on the ground again and Cloud was going to kick him as hard as he could while on the ground, fuck being fair. But he found himself being dragged back and heard a voice yelling for him to stop.

Blinking he glanced around to see all eyes were on him.

�Strife what the hell is the matter with you!?� The sergeant yelled while turning the other boy back around to face him.

Cloud blinked again before shaking his head, �Sir�� he began before Jin cut in.

�Yeah Strife don�t you think you took it a little overboard?� He asked innocently while standing up from off the ground with two others helping him.

That�asshole!

�Are you trying to kill him!? You need to learn how to control your temper! I won�t have you going off like that!� Sergeant Okuda finished while grabbing Cloud by the arm, �the rest of you go back to practicing!� He shouted at the other student�s, �you�re coming with me.�

The blonde didn�t have a chance to respond as he felt himself being dragged out of the room.

************************************************************************

Bullshit. That was the only thing that kept going through his mind, how this situation was complete bullshit.

Not only had Sergeant Okuda took Jin�s side but he had gotten him suspended from drill practice for a week, and had made sure he was dealt some type of punishment.

Sighing the blonde continued to scrub the floor with the small little sponge he had been given along with a bucket of soap water. He had to clean all the floors of the facility until they were spotless! It wasn�t fair at all.

He scrubbed harder as he thought back to the morning. Jin had been antagonizing him and yet he was the one who got in trouble!? Jin was the one who had taken it far, he was the one who had punched him in the jaw and made him bleed, he was the one who had spat on him like he was a piece of trash! And nothing happened to him, but here Cloud was scrubbing the dirty hallway floors like some damn Cinderella.

It seemed like it would never end, once he got one side clean people would just walk right through it, cadets coming back from field practice mud caked on their boots and dropping onto the just cleaned floor. This was a task that was impossible to do and Sergeant Okuda knew it.

The blonde dunked the sponge back into the bucket before started to scrub again. He had been at this for the past four hours already, his fingers were beginning to turn into shriveled up raisins from the water.

A lot of the cadets that had been in the class earlier were purposely walking down the hall with their dirty shoes just to irritate Cloud more, they thought he was the crazy one and Jin was the innocent victim.

Cloud�s eyes began to sting from the tears that threatened to fall. It was a mixture of both anger and sadness�mostly anger though. He didn�t know why Jin didn�t receive a punishment�actually he kind of did. Sergeant Okuda favored Jin and didn�t like Cloud much. The blonde didn�t know why but that�s the way it was, no matter what he did his Instructor always had something negative to say to him.

The trainee program sucked. Everyone at this damn place sucked and he was beginning to think he was going to lose it if he stayed another minute.

Glancing to one of the windows in the hall he let out an irritated sound. It was dark out and he still had tons of floors to do, he couldn�t go to bed before completing his task Sergeant Okuda had told him, and he would be coming around to check.

�Cloud?�

The blonde looked up slowly with a not to friendly expression on his face. He saw Zack looking at him with a raised eyebrow, obviously confused as to what was going on.

Cloud ignored him and continued scrubbing the floor.

�What are you doing?� Zack asked while taking a step forward.

�What does it look like I�m doing!?� Cloud spat before wetting the sponge again. He didn�t care if he was talking to a first class SOLDIER, at the moment he didn�t care much about anything, he just wanted to be left alone or to shrivel up and disappear.

�Whoa,� Zack began while holding his hands up, �sorry I guess that was a dumb question,� he started with a small laugh while walking up closer to the boy.

�Zack!� Cloud exclaimed, �Don�t�get away you�re tracking dirt on the floor.�

�Oh,� the SOLDIER began while taking a step back, �sorry.�

The cadet dropped his eyes back to the floor as he moved the bucket along with him as he continued on another spot on the ground.

�What happened?� Zack asked, obviously not taking the hint to just leave the other alone.

Cloud dropped the sponge on the ground and took in a breath before exhaling, �I got in a fight during class I guess you could say, this is my punishment.�

�What? Who did you fight?� Zack asked while stepping forward again.

Cloud shot him a look when he stepped up but just shook his head, �Some kid named Jin. We were sparring actually but�it got a little out of hand.� Or so that�s what Jin is telling everyone.

Zack frowned as he looked at the boy who was sitting on the ground now resting his back against the wall, his head hung allowing a few blonde spikes to hide his face a little. �Are you okay?�

�I�m fine,� he replied quietly before grabbing the sponge again.

�So what happened with the other kid?� Zack asked curiously. This was a harsh punishment that Cloud had so he had to wonder what the other kid got.

�Nothing,� Cloud spoke, �I was the one who went off�� he explained mechanically. Of course he didn�t believe any of the words he had been uttering but hell that was the story that people were saying.

Zack was silent. Cloud didn�t seem like the type who would just lose his cool out of nowhere�then again maybe he could. Looks could be deceiving he guessed�still, Cloud seemed pretty stable from what he could tell.

�Anyway,� Cloud continued while stretching for a moment. The position of being on hands and knees and scrubbing was beginning to get to him, �I have a lot more to do so��

The SOLDIER let out a sigh. He felt bad knowing that Cloud would still be here cleaning the dirty floors when he left. It didn�t seem right�or fair. And he still didn�t think the punishment was justified. �I think you deserve a break,� Zack began with a grin.

�Break?� Cloud asked while looking up at the other. �Zack I can�t take a break, Sergeant Okuda can come to check on me at anytime and if I�m not here I can only imagine what else he�d do.�

The older teen waved his hand, �Cloud don�t worry about it, just trust me. Come on, we�ll go out to eat. I mean I�m guessing you�re hungry right?�

The blonde stared before nodding, �well yeah�but I have to finish.�

�Trust me,� Zack echoed.

�Zack,� Cloud started while dropping the sponge in the bucket and standing up to his feet, �I�m suspended I can�t even step foot off of the facility.�

Suspended too? Well I guess that makes sense. Zack grinned wider, �Trust me Spike okay?�

Cloud bit his lip as he contemplated. If he got caught by Sergeant Okuda his ass would be on the line�but Zack was a first class SOLDIER, and he said to trust him. Though Cloud didn�t really trust anyone, how did he know he could trust Zack? Sure he had been nice to him and had come to his aid on a few occasions�like he was now but how did he know it wasn�t just some twisted joke in the end.

�Fine,� Cloud replied deciding to crush the negative thoughts in his head.

Zack was relieved that he had gotten the young boy to come with him, he knew he must�ve been scared as hell that he would get in trouble.

Within a few moments they had exited the building and were now outside of Zack�s apartments.

�Where are we going exactly?� Cloud asked. It was the most he had spoken since leaving the facility.

�Into the City to go eat. I know this great Wutainese restaurant, I�m sure you�ll love it,� Zack explained while stepping into the big garage next to the apartments.

Cloud entered the dark place hesitantly but in a moment light had flooded the area when he realized Zack had flipped the switch. His eyes widened as he saw a motorcycle before him.

�Hope you�re not scared of motorcycles,� Zack began with a grin.

�No!� Cloud began excitedly before shaking his head, �I mean no, I�ve never been on one or driven one but I�ve always wanted to.�

�Well,� Zack began while mounting the bike, �today�s your lucky day. You can�t drive it because I don�t want to be responsible for your death but you get to ride on it.�

Cloud smiled a little as he walked closer to the bike, staring in awe at it. Zack had all the things he wanted, ranking first class in SOLDIER a comfy apartment and a motorcycle, he was beginning to envy him.

�Hop on Spike,� Zack said while glancing at the blonde.

Cloud nodded and hopped onto the back of the bike.

Grinning Zack started up the motorcycle, �Now hold on tight I don�t want you falling off!�

Cloud wrapped his arms around Zack�s waist and held on tightly, his chest pressing into the others back. He couldn�t help but blush at the closeness but quickly shook his head. What the hell Cloud? Why are you blushing?

�You ready!?� Zack asked over the engine.

�Yeah!� Cloud shouted back.

With a nod Zack had pulled down the driveway and was speeding down the street, turning corners sharply and expertly weaving in and out of traffic.

Cloud tightened his grip around the others waist when they would pass by a car or turn a corner.

�You okay Spike!?� Zack asked.

Nodding Cloud replied with a �yeah� before letting a smile appear on his face. Though a bit scary at the beginning Cloud was enjoying it. The sound of the bike and the feel of the wind blowing through his hair. He wanted nothing more than to own a bike of his own someday and be able to ride it as boldly as Zack.

�You see that over there?� Zack asked when they had come to a stoplight, pointing to the right.

Cloud looked over and nodded, �yeah.� It was a building that was about ten stories high and completely lit up.

�That�s where all of the Shinra stuck ups go for parties and everything. It�s a real upscale place, it has a bit of everything in there. It�s really nice but the people there would annoy the hell out of you,� Zack explained.

�You�ve been?� Cloud asked.

�Yeah, twice, I don�t think I would go back though. I get enough of Shinra assholes at work,� he said with a laugh.

Cloud smiled and chuckled a bit. He understood what Zack was saying, there were those people that he didn�t like to see outside of class either and the thought of socializing with them any other time than then was depressing.

They continued down the streets and Cloud just took in the surroundings. He couldn�t believe that he hadn�t been in the city since his arrival, it was really amazing.

Zack rounded a corner and his hair blew freely behind him right into Cloud�s face. The blonde turned his head to avoid the locks but they only started to tickle his neck which caused him to start laughing.

Slowing down Zack raised an eyebrow. �What�s funny?� He asked as he pulled into a parking lot and stopped the bike.

�You�re hair�was tickling me,� the blonde admitted after Zack had turned the bike off.

�Whoops,� the SOLDIER began with a grin running a hand through his raven hair, �sorry about that.�

Cloud smiled and shook his head as he felt his face began to heat up again. Okay that�s getting annoying. He let go of Zack�s waist and hopped off the back of the bike.

Zack got off as well and began to walk, �it�s right up the street here.�

Cloud nodded as he looked around at the bright city lights and tall buildings. For a small town boy like himself it was really a sight to see.

�Different huh?� Zack asked as if almost reading his mind.

�Completely,� Cloud replied.

Zack smiled at the blonde. It was nice to see the boy in a better mood than he was back at the facility.

They stepped into the restaurant and a girl greeted them with a smile before seating them at a small booth and handing them some menus.

�I already know what I want, I get the same thing every time!� Zack began with a smile as he looked over to the blonde who was reading the menu.

�What�s good?� He asked lifting his blue eyes to look at the SOLDIER.

�Everything!� Zack replied.

�Well in that case,� Cloud began with a smile before looking back to the menu.

The raven haired teen laughed. It really was good to see Cloud in an upbeat mood, he had looked totally defeated back there scrubbing floors. And the time before that he was too embarrassed about getting locked out of his room to really socialize.

The waitress came by and took their orders after Cloud had gone over the menu a few times. He didn�t even try to pronounce the food on the menu but simply pointed to the pictures instead.

�So,� Zack began once the waitress had left, �I guess you�re really not liking the trainee program now huh?�

Cloud was silent as he focused on the glass of water in front of him and Zack was beginning to wonder if he was planning on answering him.

�It�s just�not fair,� he finally spoke while looking to the other.

Zack frowned noticing the small bruise on the boy�s face.

�I don�t know,� Cloud continued while dropping his gaze back to the glass.

�Not fair how?� Zack asked, he didn�t want him to close up, he wanted to know what was on his mind.

�It�s hard to explain,� Cloud said with a shrug. He didn�t want to whine and complain to Zack, he had done enough for him, he didn�t need to hear him bitch about the problems he had. He would probably just laugh anyways and think he was weak. �I,� he began while glancing back to the other, �I�m sorry about earlier�I didn�t mean to snap at you or anything.�

Zack smiled, �no problem Spike. I know you were just frustrated, I don�t blame you.�

The blonde raised an eyebrow. He had just really noticed how Zack had adopted the nickname Spike for him. Usually he would be against any nicknames of any kind but�he didn�t really mind when Zack said it.

�I�m surprised Sergeant Okuda didn�t have mercy on you,� Zack began while leaning back, �I mean I know he�s a hard ass but still.�

�He hates me,� Cloud stated simply.

�What?� Zack asked clearly not expecting that response.

�He always picks on me,� the blonde began while rolling his eyes, �he doesn�t listen to me. Just like today! He wouldn�t hear me out when I tried to tell him Jin did just as much I did. He still tried to make it seem like I was the one with the temper even though I was standing right in front of him bleeding.�

He didn�t intend on telling Zack that but for some reason he felt like he could�or should. He felt like he could talk to Zack without having to worry about what he was saying much.

�It could be possible,� Zack began.

�What?� Cloud asked while turning his attention back to the other. He hadn�t expected him to say that, he thought he was probably going to say �spike you�re crazy!� or �no he�s just being strict.�

�Yeah,� Zack continued with a nod face suddenly serious.

The cadet blinked, he hadn�t seen Zack look serious yet and it was kind of�strange.

�Cloud,� he began, �sometimes when people are jealous or envy you or something they tend to be jerks towards you.�

�I don�t understand. Why would Sergeant Okuda be jealous of me?� He asked innocently, blue irises looking straight into Zack�s.

The SOLDIER sighed. Cloud was way too innocent to see it for himself probably.

�Because Cloud you�re a really skilled fighter, and it goes against everything Sergeant Okuda thinks,� Zack started but realized Cloud was still looking at him in a confused way. �You�re way ahead of any of the other cadets in your class Spike. Sergeant Okuda is probably upset because one he didn�t get you there himself, more than likely it�s just a natural talent and two because he probably thought someone with your stature and build wouldn�t be able to achieve something like that.�

Cloud stared wide eyed as he let Zack�s words sink in. It actually made sense when he put it that way but�the most skilled fighter in his class? No way!

�Zack,� the blonde began, �I�m really not that good.�

The SOLDIER put his usual grin back on his face, �don�t be modest.�

Cloud blushed a little before shaking his head, �no really.�

�I saw you in class the other day Cloud. Take it from someone who knows, you definitely were way better than any of the others in there. You have talent Spike.�

Was it really possible for a first class SOLDIER to see something in the scrawny Cadet that not even he could see?

�Seriously?� The boy asked still somewhat in shock.

Zack nodded, �I actually wanted to ask you if you might want to train with me one on one. And actually it works, since your suspended from class if you train with me you won�t have to worry about falling behind.�

�You,� Cloud began as his eyes widened, �you want to train me?�

�Why not? Like I said Cloud you�ve got what it takes,� Zack replied just as the waitress came back and set their plates of food on the table.

�Yeah!� Cloud started with a smile before shaking his head, �I mean, I would like that.�

Zack grinned before picking up his chopsticks, �great!�

Cloud nodded before starting in on his plate. It was strange but somehow his day had gone from good to crappy to excellent!

After they finished their dinner they left the restaurant and made their way back to the parking lot where they hopped on Zack�s motorcycle and peeled out of the parking lot. It didn�t take long for them to get back with Zack�s driving.

�It�s past curfew,� Cloud said after they had parked the bike.

�Yeah well you�re suspended you don�t have class tomorrow,� Zack teased.

Cloud frowned as he glanced at Zack but a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth after a moment.

�But we�ll start training tomorrow so don�t think you can just waste the whole day,� the SOLDIER continued.

�I�ll probably have to like clean the bathroom floors tomorrow,� Cloud mumbled as they made their way back into the barracks.

Zack chuckled, �no don�t worry I�ll take care of that.�

The blonde looked at the other strange but just said �okay.� So far when Zack had done something for him it had turned out alright so he decided to stop being so suspicious. He was relieved that they didn�t run into Sergeant Okuda or any monitors that would question why he was out past curfew and if it had been his instructor he would�ve yelled at him for not finishing the floors.

�You didn�t have to walk me back,� Cloud began while glancing at Zack once they reached his room.

�Well I couldn�t let you walk in here by yourself and have you spotted by someone,� Zack replied.

Yeah at least if they did run into someone Zack could probably bail him out somehow. He seemed to have a knack for that.

�Okay,� Cloud began while glancing at the floor for a moment, �I�ll see you tomorrow then?�

�Yep,� Zack started with a nod, �four a.m. in the gym okay?�

�Four!?� Cloud blurted.

�Yeah, there�s nobody in there then,� Zack explained.

�It�s already like eleven something,� the cadet started while glancing at his watch.

�Hmm,� Zack mused while glancing at his watch also, �you�re right. Then I guess you better stop talking to me and get to sleep,� he finished with a wink while turning to walk away.

The blonde sighed as he placed his key in the lock and prepared to go inside. �Zack?� He called.

The SOLDIER stopped his walk and turned to face the other with a questioning look on his face.

�Thanks,� the cadet said quickly and softly before stepping into his room and closing the door behind him. The thanks was for everything really but most importantly for believing in him, nobody had done that�nobody.

Zack smiled before turning and heading back down the hall. The expression on the cadet�s face when he said training was at four was priceless. He didn�t want Cloud to think he would give him special treatment or anything of the sort. He was fond of the boy but he wouldn�t let that interfere with his training him. On the other hand while the cadet was probably dreading waking up so early to practice, Zack was actually looking forward to it.

************************************************************************

A/N: Yay! Chap 3 posted! I so wanted to do more with the motorcycle thing, but it�s too early to get carried away, hehe. Thanks so much for the reviews everyone, I love all of you who take the time to drop me some feedback! Means a lot! Will update soon!
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Crystal Clear